Free Paradise Falls by Ruth Ryan Langan Page A

took the dog’s big head, between her hands, while rubbing her cheek over his soft muzzle.
    Seeing it, Gray went very still, wondering what that soft cheek would feel like against his mouth. That had him frowning and wiping a damp hand across his shirt. He turned the team toward the barn. Once inside he climbed down, then reached a hand to assist Fiona, before turning away abruptly to begin unhitching the horses.
    “Goodbye, Chester.” She gave the hound one last pat on the head before heading toward the house.
    Gray stood beside his dog, watching the way the breeze flattened her skirts against her backside. Then, embarrassed by the direction of his thoughts, he returned his attention to the chore at hand, cursing softly under his breath.
    * * *
    Fiona awoke and lay in the darkness, listening to the stillness of the night. A fresh breeze was stirring the curtains, and she was grateful for the fresh air that cooled the room.
    The pork sausage they’d enjoyed for supper had given her a thirst. Sitting up in bed she reached for the pitcher on her nightstand, only to find it empty. With a sigh she got to her feet and picked up the pitcher before crossing to the door.
    Following a trail of moonlight across the parlor, she let herself into the kitchen and moved toward the pump that stood at the sink.
    “What’s this?”
    A deep voice caused her to freeze in midstride. “Flem?” She whirled, and the pitcher slipped from her fingers.
    He caught it before it could shatter on the floor, and in one quick motion set it aside. When he straightened, his gaze slid over her, taking in the spill of tangles falling over the neck of her prim cotton nightgown and her bare toes peeking out from beneath the hem of her skirt.
    Seeing the way her face flamed, a teasing light came into his eyes. “If I’d known my teacher could look like this, I’d have paid more attention to learning my sums.”
    “What are you doing up at such an hour, Flem?” She took a step back. “And fully dressed?”
    “Such keen powers of observation, Miss Downey.” He deliberately stepped closer, causing her to back up again.
    “How can I think about staying home and sleeping when there’s fun to be had in town?”
    “What sort of fun?”
    He jammed his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Some of the farmers from over the hill in Little Bavaria like to get together and play cards. I’m always happy to relieve them of some of their seed money.”
    “You play cards for money?”
    “You bet.” He drew a hand from his pocket and held up a wad of bills. “I’m good at it. See?”
    She shook her head. “So much money. Your papa will be so happy to see that.”
    “Who says I’ll show him?”
    “You aren’t going to share it with your family’?”
    He gave a low rumble of laughter. “Why should I? What did they do to earn it? Besides, I’d have to admit where it came from, and my poor dear mother would be shocked to learn that her son has engaged in the devil’s own work.”
    “But they could use that money, Flem.”
    “And you think I can’t?”
    “What will you do with it?”
    “Spend it on things that give me pleasure. That’s all money’s good for. Didn’t you know? Someday I’ll use it to take me far away from this miserable hellhole.”
    Stunned at his choice of words, she merely looked at him.
    “Of course, my old hometown is looking a lot better these days. Now that I see how good you look without all those layers of clothing...” His hand snaked out, snagging her wrist. “Maybe I could be persuaded to stay at home more often and take my pleasure right here.”
    She gasped at the stench of his breath and drew back as though slapped. “You’ve been drinking.”
    “How very astute, teacher. I’m shocked that you even know what whiskey smells like.”
    “I’ve smelled it a time or two, when some of Da’s friends paid a call.”
    His voice lowered with sarcasm. “I suppose your saintly parents would never